Soft tissue injuries
Soft tissues in your mouth are delicate, sensitive, and are easily hurt. They contain a lot of nerves so when they hurt, it can be very painful. Your tongue, cheeks, gums, and lips can get hurt in so many ways
- if you accidentally bite on them
- if you fall and get hit in those areas
- if you get into an accident
- if you burn your mouth with hot foods or drinks
- if you chew on very hard objects
What are some of the things that you can do?
Soft tissue injuries bleed a lot because the tissues in the mouth contain very small blood vessels. Since there is a lot of blood involved, the injury may look worse than it actually is. This bleeding will eventually stop in a few minutes. Here are some of the things that you can do
- apply direct pressure on the wound with a clean piece of gauze or cloth. You should keep the gauze in place for ten to fifteen minutes. The bleeding should eventually stop
- you should rinse your mouth with a mild saltwater solution. This is made up of half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water
- apply ice on the area for five to ten minutes. This will reduce the swelling, slow down the bleeding, and relieve some of the pain
- if the bleeding does not stop after you apply pressure for ten to fifteen minutes then the injury may be serious. Go to the emergency room and seek treatment right away. Apply pressure on the area until you reach the emergency room
What will your dentist do?
When you go to an emergency room, you will normally see a doctor or an oral surgeon. They will wash the area, remove any dirt or debris, and see if any of your teeth are loose or damaged. Stitches may be used to close the wounds.